Corn cutter



Feb. 6, 1940. H. J. WHEELER CORN CUTTER 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 5, 1936 E ATTORN EYS Feb. 6, 1940. H. J. WHEELER CORN CUTTER 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 5, 1936 J INVENTOR kw QM. MW i *w k kw aw S NW mm 0 I1 .1 1 0 wa .v a? 0 r 0 I o bk a g k ME W an -lmw l N J N um aw a? M N? W at! 3 W ATTORNEYS Feb. 6, 1940.

H. J. WHEELER CORN CUTTER Filed Nov. 5, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 NVEfNTOR a 7 ATTQRNEYW Feb. 6, 1940. H. JQWHEELER CORN CUTTER Filed Nov. 5, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Mal??? ATTORNEYS Feb. 6, 1940. H. J. WHEELER CORN CUTTER Fil'ed Nov. 5, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 MKN INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Feb. 6, 1940.

H. J WHEELER I CORN CUTTER Filed Nov. 5, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR W66? ATTORNEY Feb. 6, 1940. H. J. WHEELER CORN CUTTER Filed Nov. 5, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 I INVENTOR ATTORNEY such'acorn cutter which, by a simple replacetained rotary cutter head a single adjustment for Patented Feb. 6, 1940 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CORN CUTTER Henry J. Wheeler, Buffalo, N. Y., assignor to Chisolm-Riyder Company,

Incorporated, Ni-

agara Falls, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application November 5, 1936, Serial No.- 109,324

21 Claims. (01. 130-9) l This invention relates to a corn cutter and more particularly to an improved corn cutter, such as is shown in my prior Patent No. 2,017,931, dated October 22,- 1935 and which is adapted for r the production of both whole kernel and cream "the pulpy or soft interior of the kernel during the cleaningand washing process.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a corn cutter which, by a simple replacementof parts, will cut the kernels off in two slices so that if the kernels cut would be too large they can be removed in two slices. 1

Another object of the invention is to provide ment of the parts, is adapted to the production of cream style corn. p 1

Another important object of the inventionis to provide such a machine in'which the ears of corn are conveyed'axially through a high speed rotary head which comprises, as a self-contained unit, the entire scraping and, cutting mechanism, including the cutters and scrapers which rotate in engagement with the kernels and sever the kernels and scrape the cob, the means for adjusting the pressure exerted by the scrapers on the cob, the means for adjusting the minimum spacing of the cutters and scrapers to suit the size of-the ears being handled and the means for adjusting the depth of cut of said cutters.

Anotherobject is to render said self-contained rotary head conveniently removable by the simple 3 expedient of mounting it in a series of rollers carried by 'a two-part holder which can be conveniently opened up and the entire cutter head lifted therefrom. This greatlyiacilitates cleaningand repair of the rotary cutter head and also renders the mechanism adjacent the rotary cutter head more accessible for cleaning, adjustment or repairs. I 1 Another aim of the present invention is to provide in such a self-contained rotary head a series of guide or scraper arms arranged above the axis of the cutting head adjacent a group of cutters also carried by the rotary head, the groups of cutters and scrapers being adjustable interlocked to permit both the guide arms and the cutters to open and close in unison. The duty of the guide or scraper arms is to grip the cob at the junction of the kernel with the cob and act as a means for opening or closing the cutters asthe cutters progress along the tapering ear and hence insure that the cutters out close to the cob line.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple and readily accessible adjustment on said rotary head for conveniently adjusting the interlocked relation of the group of cutters with the group of scrapers so that the depthof out can be easily adjusted andalso sothat the machine can be readily adapted to the production of cream style corn in which it is desirable that the cutters remove only the caps from the kernels.

Another purpose of the invention is, in such cutting depth adjustment'means, to provide a convenient index provided with a series of graduations so that the cutting depth can be conveniently set as desired without the necessity of resorting to cut and try methods 1 Another aim is to provide in such a self-consimultaneously adjusting the maximum inward I movement of both-the cuttersand the scrapers so thatthe cutters and scrapers as a single group can be conveniently adjusted to suit corn of different diameters without affecting any of the other adjustments, such as adjustment of the cutting depth relation between the cutters and scrapers.

' Another object is to provide, in such a selfcontained rotary cutting head, a single means for adjusting the tension imposed upon the cutters and scrapers so that this tension can be ad justed to suit the type and style of corn being out without affecting any of the other. adjustments.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a whole grain style corn cutter in which the kernels cut off by the cutters are discharged forwardly from the rotary cutter head whereas the scrapings and juices removed by the scrapers are thrown ofi rearwardly from the cutter head, this permitting the separate collection of these two products and providing a high quality main product.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotary type corn cutter in which the entire operation upon the ear is accomplished within one chamber and in which the plugging and-discharging of chaii and cob with the corn is reduced to a minimum.

Another object is to provide such a cutter which cuts and scrapes successfully any nubbins and eliminates the transfer of short ears from one head to another as is now commonly done.

Another aim of the present invention is to provide a cream style corn cutter which has very high yield of high quality cream style corn, the

Another aim is to provide such a corn cutter which will operate with little power consumption, which is sanitary and easily cleaned and in which the several parts are readily demountable.

Another aim is to provide such a corn cutter which has very high capacity.

Another aim of the present invention is to provide a conveniently removable cutter head which I is supported by three bearings, these being so disposed as. to center the head, permit its free rotation and counteract the pressure of the fee belt used for driving the head. Another aim is to provide such a corn cutter which, by a simple substitution of parts, can be used for cutting kernels from blanched ears, the cobs of which are very soft and fragile, the blenching of the ears being customary in producing frozen corn.

Another aim of the present invention is to provide'such a rotary corn cutter in which the kernels are smoothly and uniformly discharged from the cutters to the rotary head and in turn immediately discharged into the hopper receiving them without undue crushing or any clogging.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide, in the holder for the rotary cutter head, means providing a seal which reduces the danger of juices or solid matter entering between the rotary head and the holder and also means providing a drain'for any juices which do get between the rotary cutter head and its holder.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple and compact gear transmission for operating the conveyer feed chain, pairs of feeding spur wheels and pair of discharge spur wheels, which transmission is also so designed that the ears will be propelled through the machine at high speed and in proper position and spaced relation so as to reduce the danger of the earsbecoming caught.

Another aim is to provide a compact, simple and positive mechanism which permits the pairs of spur wheels to separate to accommodate ears I of varying diameters and at the same time holds the spur wheels of each pair an equal distance from the axes of the rotary cutter head so that the ears are always conveyed in axial alinemcnt with the head both in being fed thereto and in being discharged therefrom.

Another purpose is to completely isolate said last named spur wheel evening mechanism from a the housing through which the ears travel so that.

there is no danger of contamination with corn juices. 1

Another object is to provide, in said spur wheel evening mechanism, a simple and positive means for adjusting the minimiun spacing of the several pairs of spur wheels so that in running large diameter ears through the machine, the minimum spacing of the spur Wheels can be increased thereby reducing the cutting action ofthe spur wheels on such large ears of corn.

Another object is to provide, in advance of the rotary cutter head a complete centering and guide mechanism consisting of a plurality of guide arms mounted on a conveniently removable plate I and jointly providing ,a guide opening which centers the ears both vertically and horizontally,

the plate also carrying the means for insuring the uniform movement of said arms toward and from I, .the center of said guide opening.

In the accompanying drawings: Fig. l is. a fragmentary top plan view of cutter embodying my invention.

corn

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation thereof,

viewed-from the feeding side of the machine.

Fig.3 is a section taken on line 3-3, Fig. 2 and illustrating the gearing driving'the various parts. I

- Fig. dis a fragmentary side elevation viewed from. the discharge side of the machine.

Fig. 5-isa fragmentary front'elevation. 3 Fig. 6' is a fragmentary vertical section.

through the rotary cutter head and associated feed-mechanism, taken on line 6-6, Fig. 4."

Fig. 7 isa fragmentaryverticalsectiomtaken. I v

on line-L-l, Fig. l and'illustrating the manner in which the feeding spur wheels adapt theme selves to ears of varyingdiameter.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary-vertical section, taken on line 8-8, Fig. 7. g I

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical section, taken on line li -9, Fig.- 6 and showing the radially movable inter-connected-guidearm's whichinsure centering "of. the ears before bei rotating cutter head. i

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view similar-toFigS andillustrating a mcdified fo'rm. of guide arm in:

g "fed 1' into. theaof" which the arm is provided with a plurality" of.)

slitting blades for slitting the kernels beforeithe ear is fed-to the rotary'cutting head. I

Fig. 11' is: a section, taken on line 4l---l I, Fig.- 10 showing the manner in which the slitting blades'are removably mounted on the slitting arm.

Fig. 12 isa fragmentary "section, taken on line iii-42," Fig. 9 and" showing the spring for-hold.

ing the guide arms: in engagementwith: the ears of: corn: and permitting :uniform' radial movement thereof; 1

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary'generally vertical secs tion; taken "on line l3 -I3,'Fig. 6 and showing the rotary cutter'head equipped with knives; and scrapers of a form designed to removethe kere nels in whole kernelformq Fig. 14.15 a vertical transverse secti'om, taken on line MM, Fig. G'and showing a rear face v view of the scraper arm: tension adjusting'mechanism and the mechanism for 'ad'justing'the depth of cut. Y i

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of one of the scraper arms mounted on the rotary cutter'head and designed for use in conjunction 'with' thc' cutter arms for removing: whole kernel istyle corn.

16 is a perspective view of one of the cutter arms for removing whole kernel style of corn. in conjunction with the scrapers illustrated in Fig. 15.

Fig. 13 and'showing the manner of mounting the scraper-and cutterarms; g

Fig. 18 is a vertical transverse section-through I .70 Fig. 17 is a fragmentary section, taken axially I through the rotary cutter head on' line' [7-11,

the rotary cutter head, taken on line Iii-l8, Fig. 17. Fig. 19 is a fragmentary vertical axial section, through the rotary cutter head, taken on line l9-l9, Fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of the two adjusting rings mounted on the rotary cutter head, the relative rotary adjustment of which adjusts the cutter and scraper bars to adjust the depth of cut.

'Fig. 21 is a fragmentary, generally horizontal section, taken on line 2l-2I, Fig. 6 and illustrating the manner in which one pair of roller bearings for the rotary cutter head isv rendered removable.

i Fig. 22 is a fragmentary vertical view of the discharge side of the rotary cutter heads, with parts broken away, this view being taken on line 22 -22, Fig. 19, and showing the manner in which the tension of the cutter and scraper arms is adjusted and the manner in which the adjusting ring and face ring at the discharge side of the rotary cutter head are secured to the head.

Fig. 23 is a side elevation of the wire locking ring which attaches the adjusting ring and the face ring at the discharge side of the rotary cutter head to the head.

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of one of the cranks mounted on the rotary head, the hub of which carries one of the cutter arms, these cranks being driven in unison by a pair' of interconnected slotted rings.

. Fig. 25 is a perspective view of one of the cranks mounted on the rotary head, the hub of which carries one of the scraper arms, these cranks driving the slotted rings which turn the cutter arm cranks shown in Fig. 24 and being counterweighted to balance the cutter and scraper arms. Fig. 26 is a fragmentary perspective view of a pair of cutter arms designed to cut the kernels .fro-m'the cob in two slices.

Fig. 27 is a radial section, Fig. 26.

Fig. 28 is a view similar to Fig. 13, showing the cutter head equipped with cream style cutter and scraper arms.

Fig. 29 is a perspective view of a group of cream style cutter and scraper arms.

I Fig. 30 is a fragmentary side View of the discharge spur wheels and spur wheel shafts used in the production of both whole kernel and cream style corn, the same type of spur wheels being used as feeding .spur wheels in the productaken on line 2l-- 2l,

tion of cream style corn.

Fig. .31 is a fragmentary vertical section, taken one line 3l-3|,Fig. 30.

Fig. 32 is a perspective view of one of the scrapersused in cutting corn from blanched ears.

Fig. 33 is a side elevation of the blanched ear scraper shown in Fig. 32 and showing the way in which its'head lays against and scrapes the kernels.

The corn cutter embodying the present invention is, by a simple exchange of cutter and scraper or gage arms and feeding spur wheels, as hereinafter described. adapted to out either whole kernel or cream style corn. In general, the invention comprises means for feeding ears of husked corn in proper alinement axially through a rotating head which carries a plurality of gage or scraper and cutter arms, the edges of which engage the kernels to sever and scrape them. Means are provided for conveniently adjusting the spring pressure imposed on these arms and their limit of movement and means are also provided for conveniently adjusting the positions of the scrapers and cutters relative to one another to adjust the depth of cut. The cutter head is also so designed that it is compact and adequately sealed and is so mounted as to be conveniently removable and so as to run true at high speeds, thereby increasing the capacity of the corn cutter. l

The ear conveying and centering mechanism The corn cutter is shown in the accompanying drawings as mounted on a pedestal or table having a top supported by end standards 36. To the pedestal top is bolted a feeding trough 31 which projects outwardly from the pedestal. In the outer end of this feeding trough is journalled a shaft 3?! which carries a pair of sprockets 39. These sprockets support a pair of feed chains 40 of any usual and well known form, the other ends of these feed chains being carried and driven by a pair of sprockets 4i and being arranged to discharge an ear of corn, placed lengthwise in the trough 31, between the housed feeding spur wheels of the corn cutter.

- The driving mechanism of the corn cutter comprises a main drive shaft which is suitably journalled in bearings 46, 47 mounted in. the walls of a gear case 48 at the rear of the machine, this main drive shaft being driven from a pulley 49 through a clutch 50. As best shown in Fig. 5, in order to render the clutch conveniently operable from the front, the arm 5| actuating the clutch is connected to a horizontal bar orlink 52 which extends under the bed or top 35 and connects with a crank arm 53 on a rock shaft 54. This rock shaft is suitably journalled in the bed 35 and extends fore and aft through the front wall of the bed, an operating hand lever 55 being secured to the rock shaft in front 01' the cutter. It will therefore be seen that by throwing the hand lever 55, the clutch 50 will be actuated to apply power to the main. drive shaft 45.01 to render the cutter inoperative.

Within the gear case 48, as best shown in Fig. 3. the main drive shaft 45 carries a worm 61! which drives a worm wheel 6! loosely mounted on a short shaft within the gear housing and carrying a pinion 62 driving a gear wheel 63 loosely mounted on a second short cross shaft. This gear wheel 63 carries a gear 64 which drives an idler gear 65. The idler gear 65 drives a gear 66 which is fast to a shaft 61 journalled in the gear casing and driving, through a universal 68, the shaft 69 on which the drive sprockets 4| of the main feed chains Ml are mounted. It is therefore apparent that a positive drive is provided between the driving pulley 49 and the ear feed chains 40.

Upon leaving the feed chains all, the ears of corn are caught between two spur wheels which are driven and held centered with reference to the axis of the rotary driving head by mechanism which is preferably constructed as follows:

As illustrated in Fig. 3. the gear 63 meshes with a gear i0 which is fast to a shaft ll jour nalled in the gear case 48. The gear ill meshes with an equal sized gear 12 directly thereunder which is fast to a shaft 13 also journalled in the gear case 48. As best shown in Fig. '7, the upper shaft H, through a universal M, drives an upper spur wheel shaft 15 which carries a spur wheel 16, the center of which is in the same vertical plane as the axis of the ears discharged by the feed chains 40. The lower shaft 13, through a universal 80, drives a lower spur wheel shaft 8| carrying a lower spur wheel 82 arranged directly under the upper spur whee-l IS.

The ear of corn discharged endwise by the conveyer feed chain 00 is caught between the spur wheels 70 and 18 which propel it toward the rotary cutter head indicated generally at 85. In order to permit the spur wheels to open andclose in unison toward and from a common center to adapt themselves to cars of different diameters and still maintain the ear of corn axially in line with the rotating cutter head, a mechanism is provided which is preferably constructed as follows:

The shafts l5 and EI, as best shown in Figs. 7, extend through vertical slots 35 provided in a bracket 8'! which is mounted on the bed or table 35 and forms the rear wall of a housing for the cutting mechanism. Through these slots avertical guideway or slot 88 extends, this guideway serving to guide the edges of two thin metal slides 89 which surround the shafts I5 and M and rise and fall therewith, at all times completely blocking or closing the slots 85. The purpose of the slides 89 is to prevent corn juices 4 from splattering through the otherwise open slots 86 onto the shaft evening mechanism in rear of the bracket 81 and hence rendering it easier to keep the machine in a clean and sanitary condition.

Projecting rearwardly from the wall 87 be,- tween the two slots 86 is a fixed rod 90 the outer end of which is threaded and fitted with a nut 9|. On this rod 90 is slidingly fitted a sleeve 92 which is urged forwardly by a helical compression spring 93 surrounding the rod 00 and interposed between the sleeve 92 and the nut SI. This sleeve is connected by a pair of vertical toggle links 94 with a pair of skeleton sleeves 95 each loosely mounted on the corresponding shaft I5 and 8I. The front end of each of these skeleton sleeves 95 is guided in a vertical guideway 96 provided in the rear side of the bracket 8? around each of the slots 86. The forward movement of the sleeves and links 9295 underthe infiuence of the spring 93 is limited by stop shoulders or ribs 9'! provided on opposite sides of the front end of each skeleton sleeve 95 and engaging raised slideways 98 provided on the rear side of the bracket 87 on opposite sides of the slots 96, as best shown in Fig. 8, the parts therefore being always held in the forward position indicated in Fig. 7. It will be seen that with this toggle link mechanism, if the lower shaft 8i should be forced downwardly, the lower toggle link 94 would draw the sleeve 92 rearwardly thereby throwing the upper toggle link 94 rearwardly and raising the upper skeleton sleeve 95 and upper spur wheel shaft I5. The toggle, links therefore always keep the upper and lower feed-' ing spur wheels equally spaced from the axis of the rotating cutter head 85.

The spur wheels Iii and 82 are held'at a fixed minimum spacing by a rotatable plate I00 which can also be turned to increase the minimum spacing of the spur wheels. This plate, as best illustrated in Fig. 8, is loosely mounted on the rod 90 between the wall 8'! and the sleeve 92. The plate is of elongated form and is provided with opposite rounded cam corners NH. The upper and lower sides of this plate are engaged by the upper and lower skeleton sleeves 05 and it will therefore be seen that when the plate is turned so that its smaller dimension is vertical the normal spacing of the spur wheels 76 and 82 is small, whereas when the plate is turned to the position shown in Fig. 8-the normal spacing-.01 these spur wheels is increased. When a run. of small diameter ears is being handled the plate I00 is set so that its long dimension extendshorizontally so that the spur wheels'l'6 and .82 are normally closely spaced and firmly engage the thin ears. When a run of thick cars is being handled, the plate 600 is turned to the position shown in Fig. 8, in which the normal spacing" of the spur wheels 16 and 82 is increased. and

the thick ears are not required to spread them so far. because of. the necessity of spreading the; spur wheels I6 and 82 an undue distance'is thereby avoided.

The gear 12 (Fig. 3) meshes with an idler.

pinion I 04 which also meshes with a gear I05 loosely mounted on a shaft I06. In orderto effect a drive from this gear to this shaft-in one direction and at the same time permit the gear, a radial pin-I01 shaft to pull ahead of the is provided in the shaft which engages a pin I08 projecting outwardly from the corresponding face of the gear I05. an equal sized. upper gear I09 loosely mounted on a shaft Ii 0 which is compelled to turn withthe gear by a pin III on theshaft in the path of a Possible injury to thick-ears of corn The gear I05 meshes with 1 pin II2 on the gear, this pin permitting this pair of spur wheels 16 and 82. These spur wheels are fioatingly mounted and compelled to move in unison from a common center by a mechanism identical with the mechanism surrounding the shafts I5 and 8! and shown in Figs. 7 and 8, this description not being repeated, the same reference numerals being employed and distinguished by the sufiix a. g I I The gear I05 (Fig. 3) drives an idler gear '5 which in turn drives a lower gear H6 fast toxa shaft II'I journalled in the walls of the'gear box 48. This gear IIB drives an equal sized'gear,

H8 arranged immediately thereover and fixed'to.

a shaft I I9 also journalled in the side. wallsof the gear box 48. The upper shaft II9, through a universal Mb, drives an upper spur Wheel 75b which extends through a vertical slot 86bin. a

bracket 81b and into a hood I20 forming the discharge chute for the cobs and scrapings and carries an upper ear discharge spurwheel 76b. The lower shaft 1, through a universal, drives a lower spur wheel shaft Bib carrying a lowerv discharge spur wheel 82b located in the discharge hood I20. The pair of discharge spur wheels are arranged on the discharge'side of the rotary cutter head'85 and function to discharge the 0010 from the machine. As best illustrated. in Figs. 30 and 31, it will be seen that the spur wheels 76b, 8212 are of a somewhat. different type'from the spur wheels 16 and 82. Instead of. having a single row of spurs, the discharge spur wheels 75b, 8% have a double row of spurs. The double row of spurs grip the cob more securely and hence are used to discharge the cob regardless of the style of corn being cut. double row of spurs have a greater'punctu-ring and tearing effect and are hencenot-used.:to feed the kerneled ears of cornto the rotary head in producing whole kernel corn although they However, the

arepreierably so used in producing cream style corn as hereinafter described.

It will be'noted (Fig. 3) that the pair of gears H6 and H8 are smaller than either of the pairs of gears I05, I09 or 10, 12. Therefore the discharge spur wheels 16b and 82b arealways driven at a higher rate of speed than the pairs of feeding spur wheels 16, 82 and 16a, 82a. This is to accelerate the rate of speed of the ear as it is passing through the rotary cutter head 85 and insure that the ears pass through the rotary cutter head in spaced relation even though they have been carelessly placed inthe feeding trough 31 in the overlapping relation. It will be noted that an ear of corn bridging the pairs of spur wheels 16a, 82a. and 16b, 82b will not be torn and mutilated by reason of the two speeds at which these two pairs of spur wheels are normally driven. This is because the pins I01, I88 and III, IIZ (Fig. 3) included in the drive of the feeding spur wheels 16a and 82a permit these feedingspur wheels to run ahead of their drive. Consequently, when the advance end of the ear is engaged by the pair of wheels 1Bb,'82b and its movement accelerated it forms a driver for the feeding spur wheels 15a and 82a and draws the pins I01 and III away from the drive pins I08 and I I2, respectively. As soon as the rear end of the ear is releasedfrom the spur wheels 16a and 82a, the pins I08 and H2 catch up with the pins I01 and III and reestablish the normal drive for the feeding spur wheels 16a and 82a.

-The discharge spur Wheels 161) and 822) are compelled to move in unison toward and from a common center by a mechanism identical with the mechanism surrounding the shafts 15 and 8| and shown in Figs. 7 and 8, and hence this description is not repeated, .the same reference numerals being employed and distinguished by the suflix b.

In order to guide the ears of corn axially into the rotary cutter head even though received improperly by the first pair of feeding spur wheels 16, 82, movable guide'fingers are mounted in a removable plate and engage the ear to compel it to progressin proper position, this mechanism being as follows:

Between the pairs of feeding spur wheels 16, B2 and 16a, 82a, the bracket 81 inrear of these spur wheels is provided with a vertical groove I I22 (Fig. 9) which receives" the rear edge of a removable upright plate I23 extending across the path of the ears through the machine. The front edge of this plate is supported in a vertical groove I24 in a bracket I25 forming a part of the front wall of the housing for the conveying mechanism. It will therefore be seen that the plate I23 can be readily removed by sliding it upwardly in the grooves I22 and I24;

At its center'this plate I23 is provided with an opening I21 through which the ears pass. On theface opposing the approaching ears, this plate, as best shown in Figs; 6 and 9, is provided with a circular groove 129 capable of rotatingin this groove.

I28 in which is set a ring This ring carries a plurality of evenly spaced projecting pins I3D,.four being shown, and radially inward from each of these pins, a pivot screw I3I is carried by the plate I23. Each of the pivot screws I3I carries a guide arm I32, one end of which is slotted, as indicated at I33, to engage the corresponding pin I30 and move therewith. The other end of each of the guide arms I32 is formed to provide a guide head I34 which is discharge spur tapered or set at an angle so that the groups of heads I34 form a tapering guideway for receiving the end of each ear of corn, the ear, by virtue of this taper, opening up the arms in passing through. Since all of the arms together by the guide ring I29 it will be seen that the movement of any of them away from the center moves all of the others a corresponding distance outwardly. Therefore the ear of corn in passing through the guide arms is brought to a properly centered position if it is not already in such position.

The heads I34 of all of the arms I32are yieldingly held in a closed or contracted position by a spring W5 which, as best shown in Figs. 9 and l2, is adjustably connected to a lug I36 on the ring I29 by a screw I31, the other end of the spring its connecting with a pin I38 secured to the plate G23 and extending through a slot I39 in the ring l29. It will be seen that the spring I35 draws the ring E28 in the direction in. which the heads of the guide arms are held contracted and that the pin i133 in the slot I39 serves as a stop to limit .the movement of the ring and hence fix the contraction limit of the arms M2 E32 are tied so that their heads 53a never engage one another.

It will be seen that the plate i123 can be readily slid upwardly in the grooves in and i2 5 and lifted free of the machine, and as this plate carries all of the guide arm mechanism it is apparent that this feature greatly facilitates keeping the machine in repair and in a clean and sanitary condition since this mechanism. can be conveniently removed and cleaned and repaired and by its removal the other mechanism is rendered more accessible for cleaning and repairs.

The spur wheel shafts iii, BI, 15a, tic, 15b and BIb and the shaft 69 for driving the feed chains 4i! are preferably housed within a U- shaped housing Hill which extends from the gear case 48 to the walls 81 and 81b.

The rotary cutter head .Fig. 1''], this rimv is provided with a V-shaped drive belt E52 and the pe- Hit of the rim on opposite are of outwardly facing which will groove to receive the ripheral faces H55 and sides of its V-groove beveled or conical form for a purpose presently appear.

The main body of the cutter head consists of two annular sections Hi1 and I58 bolted together and clamping the rim Hi3 therebetween and forming an internal annular chamber I59 in which the operating mechanism for the cutters and gages or scrapers is located. The front section I51 of the head or that facing the feed end of the machine is formed to provide a central disk-shaped portion 255 having a vertical flat front face I65 and formed to provide a central opening It"! through which the ears of corn are axially propelled by the feed and discharge spur wheels. Around the disk-shaped central portion M5, the front section is formed to provide a rim I68 on which the drive rim Hi3 is seated and which extends forwardly from the disk-shaped central portion and flares outwardly beyond the drive rim to provide a relatively broad outwardly flaring, conical discharge face E69." The portion of the rim I68 which extends beyond the drive outer periphery of this rim I68,

rim I53 is formed to provide a shoulder no against which the drive rim I53 is clamped and terminates in a relatively thin edge. On the between its edge and the drive rim I59, the rim I 68 is formed to provide an outwardly projecting flange I'iI which flares or inclines toward the feed end of the machine and forms part of a seal as will be more fully described. Around the opening I51, the front section i5! of the cutter head is formed to provide a hub or flange I12 which projects rearwardly from the disk-shaped central portion 595 and is stepped to provide an external annular shoulder I73 at its rear end. The inner face H4 is of rearwardly flaring or conical form. The kernels are cut from. the ears before passing through the opening I67 and it will therefore be seen that the plane of the face I66 forms a dividing plane for the cut materials thrown out by therotary action of the head. Those materials which are thrown out in advance of this plane strike the forwardly flaring conical face I 99 of the front section I51 and are discharged at the front side of the cutter head and those materials thrown out in rear of this plane strike the I rearwardly flaring conical face I! of the front through which the ears of corn section I51 and are discharged at the rear side of the cutter head.

The rear section I58 of the rotary cutter head comprises a cylindrical rim I89 and an integrally formed disk-shaped web l'8I extending inwardly from this web. The cylindrical rim I89 projects both forwardly and. rearwardly from the web I8! and clamps against the rear side of the drive rim I53, as best shown in Fig. H. The Web I8I is provided with a circular opening are propelled and the margin of the web around this opening seats on the stepped shoulder I13 provided at the rear of the hub or flan e I12 of the front section I5l. Between this innermargin seatingon the shoulder I13 and the cylindrical rim I a rearwardly projecting circular flange 582 is provided, the outer end of which is beveled, as indicated at I83, for a purpose which will presently appear. The cylindrical rim I80 is also provided with an annular peripheral square sealing bead I 84 at its rear end for a purpose which will presently appear.

The front section I5 and the rear section I58 are removably secured together to clamp the driving rim I53 therebetween by a plurality of screws I 85, as best shown in Figs. 6, 18 and 22, six of such screws being preferably employed.

The entire cutting and scraping mechanism is carried by the rotary cutter head 85 and to rein der the entire head and its contained cutting and scraping mechanism readily removable, the head is mounted in rollers in a two part separable holder which upon being opened permits the entire cutter head to be lifted out. This of course, greatly facilitates the cleaning and repair of the cutter head and also renders the conveyer mechanism more accessible for cleaning and repairs. The lower half I99 of the two part holder for the rotary cutter head consists of a casting bolted to the top of the table or bed as indicated at I9'I, and is, as best illustrated in Fig. 13, semicircularly recessed to receive and conform to the lower half of the rotary cutter head 85. To the lower half I of the holder for the rotary cutter head is hingedly connected the upper half I92 of this holder, the underside of this upper half of the holder being semi-circularly recessed the upper half of the-rotary rotary cutter head holder-and embraced by'a pair of ears I94 projecting outwardly from the upper half I92 of the holder, these ears-being connected'by a horizontal pivot pin. The ears 94 are also preferably extended to form stops I95 which support the upper half of the-holder when it is swung to expose the p At the side opposite the'hinge connection between the two halves of the rotary cutterhead holder, the two halves are held together by a latch I96 of any suitable form which preferablyi'ncludes a spring for exerting a yielding action'in holding the two halves closed.

The rotary cutter head is supported bythree pairs of ball bearing rollers 206. Twopa irs of these rollers are mounted in the lower half holder section I90 and one pair of these "rollers are mounted in the upper half h'older sectionr-I92, thereby to provide the equivalent of a three point support for the rotary cutter head. 'Ihese'bearings engage the periphery of the drive ring I53- of the rotary cutter head85 and hence,as best shown in Fig. 13, the pairs of rollers are prefer ably so disposed as to oppose the tension of the V-belt I52 which drives the rotaryoutter head. To this end the upper pair of bearings mounted in the upper half holder section I92is located on that side of the vertical center line of the rotary cutter head from'wh'ioh the stretches of the V-belt extend, or toward the rearfof the machine. As each of these rollers is 'mounted and constructed in the same manner, a, description of one will be deemed to apply to all six.

The rollers 299 engage the opposite beveled faces I55 and I 5'5 of the drive rim I53 tohold the rotary cutter head centered and each roller is therefore set at an angle to the axis-of rotation of the cutter head and parallel with the beveled face which it engages. mounted on a stud till formed integrallywith a supporting block 292 which is set into an' angular recess in the rotary cutter head holder and secured therein by screws 203 or in any other suitable. manner. The outer face of eaohfo'f the blocks 292 is preferably disposed flush withthe adjacent face of the cutter head holder and-hence is at an angle to the stud 29!. The stud 29! carries the inner race 205 of a ball bearing, the outer race 2% of Which-carries the roller 20?, which engagesthe corresponding angular or tapered surfaces "I55 or of :the drive rim I53 of the rotary cutter head; It will be noted that the periphery of ,eachroller ZQ'IiS slightly tapered so that the-peripheral spe'e'd at each side of the roller is the same as the'corresponding peripheral speeds of the surface which the roller engages. This avoids unnecessary wear which would otherwise lee-occasioned by! the variation in peripheral speeds caused by the beveled form of thesurfaces' I55; I56 of the ro-. tary cutter head. i I

By the provision of the rollers 29!! for supporting the cutter head, by its periphery, in the' two part holder I99, i92, it will beseen thaton op'en-. ing the two part holder, the entire head can be. lifted from the machine and 'disconnected'from the belt. The cutting, scraping, gaging and ad justing mechanisms carried by the rotary head are therefore rendered conveniently accessible.

'Ea'ch roller is rotary cutter hea'd'.

' the rotary cutter head and its two part holder, sealing means are provided which tend to prevent theentrance of the juices between these parts andmeans are also provided for draining such juices as, do enter.. I r

As best shown in Fig. 6, the semi-circularly re- "cessed portions of the two part rotary cutter head holder closely embrace the rotary head and generally conform in cross section to the outline of the head. At the inlet side of the head, the lower holder'section I90 is formed to provide a I semi-circular channel 2H! and the upper holder section I92 is formed to provide a similar channel 2I I forming a continuation thereof. These channels receive the angularly disposed sealing flange I I1I which picks up any juices, and through centrifugal action, creates a liquid seal in the circular channel 2H], 2. The continuous escape of such juices from the channel 2Il'l, 2 is provided by a drain 2 I 2 leading to a discharge trough 2I3 formed in thebed of the machine.

At its center the lower holder section I90 is formed to provide a deeper semi-circular channel 2I4 which closely fits around the sides of the [drive rim I53 of the drive head. The upper holder section I92 is'formed to providea similar channel '2l5 forming a continuation of the channel 2I4 and the circular channel 2M, 2I5 is drained into the trough 2 I3 by a duct 216. At the discharge side of the rotary cutter head, the lower holder section ISO is formed to provide a shallow and narrow. semi-circular channel 2I1 which closely fits the square bead I84 of the rotary cut- "ter head. The upper section I92 is similarly formed to provide a channel 2I8 forming a continuation of the channel 2I1 and the circular channel 2I1, v2 I8 is drained into the trough 2I3 by a duct 2I9.. The three circular channels formed in the interior of the rotary cutter head I shown in Fig. 24, carries a pin 222 projecting in the direction of the line of movement of the corn.

The hub 220fat the opposite side of the crank .arm is of hexagonal form, as indicated at 223,-

and is provided with an axial threadedscrew hole 224 (Fig. 17,). The hub 220 of each crank arm is supported, between the hexagonal end 223 and the crank arm, by a ball bearing 226 which is set into the disk-shaped central portion I65 of the front section I51 of the rotary cutter head. The opposite end of each huh 220 is journalled in the web 18] of the rear section I58 of therotary cutterhead. as indicated at 221.. The siX cranks 22I are mounted in spaced annular arrangement around the rotary cutter head and their axes are parallel with the axis of the cutter head. The crank arms and pin 222 are disposed in the annular chamber I 59 formed between the cutter head sections I51 and I58.

Between each of the cranks 22I which carry the cutter arms is located'a crank 23!] on the hub 23I of which is mounted a scraper arm. As best shown in Fig. 25, the crank arm of each of the cranks 230 carries a pin 232 which projects in the opposite direction from the pins 222 of the cranks carrying the cutter arms. The hub 23I on the same side of the crank arm is of hexagonal form, as indicated at 233, and is provided with an axial threaded screw hole. The hub23l of each crank arm 230 is supported, between its hexagonal end 233 and its crank arm by a ball bearing 235 which is set into the disk-shaped central portion I65 of the front section I51 of the rotary cutter head. The opposite end of each hub 23I is journalled in the web I8I of the rear section I58 of the rotary cutter head, as indicated at 236. On the side opposite its crank arm 232. The six cranks 23B are mounted in spaced annular arrangement around the rotary cutter head, alternating with thecranks 22b carrying the cutter arms, and their axes are parallel with the axis of the cutter head. The crank arms and counterweights of the cranks 230 are disposed in the annular chamber I59 formed between the cutter head sections I51 and I58.

The cranks 230 carrying the scrapers are compelled to turn in unison by a connecting ring 245 which is rotatably mounted on the rearwardly projecting flange or hub I12 immediately in rear of the disk-shaped central portion I65 of'the front cutter head section I51. For this purpose the ring 245 is provided with six radial slots-246 each of which slidingly receives a small sliding block 244 in which is journalled the forwardly projecting pin 232 of the corresponding scraper arm crank 23B. The purpose of interposing the I sliding blocks 2% between the pins 232 and the radial slots 24$ is to provide a full bearing surface instead of the line contact whichwould exist .if =5 using the sliding blocks. Between these slots 246' the ring 245 is cut away to provide broad; recesses 241, these recesses receiving and providing clearance for the crank arms of the cranks 22I carrying the cutter arms so that the ring 245 and the cranks 22I can move the necessary limited extent without interfering with one another. At spaced intervals this ring is provided with screw holes 248, three being shown.

Arranged against the rear face of thering 245 is a somewhat similar rotary ring 250 for compelling the cranks 22! carrying the cutting arms to rotate in unison, having for this purpose six radialslots 25I receiving small sliding blocks 249 in which are journalled the rearwardly projecting crank pins 222 of the cranks 22! carrying the cutter arms. Between the slots 25I, the ring 250 is cut away toprovide broad recesses 252 around the crank arms of the cranks 235 which carry the scraper arms so that both the cranks 230. and the ring 250 can move the necessary limitedextent without interfering with one another. Registering with the screw holes 2480f thehringc 2,45,

thexring 258 is provided with slots 253 which are concentric with the axis of the rotary cutter head. Adjusting screws 254 (Fig. 19) pass through these slots 253 into the screw holes 248 and when tightened secure the two rings 225 and 256 together so that they rotate in unison. The slots 253 permit of adjusting the relation of the ringsrto vary the depth of cut. This adjustment is'preferably indicatedby an arm 255 which carries -a rearwardly projecting pointer 256, this pointer projecting through a recess 251 provided in the rim I88 of the rear cutter head section I58, as best shown in Figs. 14 and 18. As shown in Fig. 14 this pointer 256 traverses a graduated scale 258 on this rirn I86 which scale indicates the depth of cut at any setting of the two rings. To render the heads .of the screws 25% readily available for the adjustment above described, the web 'I8I of the rear cutter head section I58 is provided with slots 259 registering with these screws, as indicated in Figs. 19 and .22, and through which the screws can be loosened and tightened.

The connected rings 245 and 259 are yieldingly urged in the direction in which the cutters and scrapers actuated by these rings are in their contracted position. For this purpose the six pins 238 on the counterweights 23'! of the scraper arm cranks 236 project rearwardly' through a corresponding number ofv openings 269 in theweb IBI of the rear cutter head section I58, as best shown in Figs. 14 and 17. At the outer end of each pin 258,- the end of a tension spring 26I- is caught in the groove 239 and the other end of each of these springs 26! is anchored in a finger 262 projecting radially outward from a rotatable tension adjusting ring 263, asbest shown in Fig. 22. This tension adjusting ring is channelshaped in cross section and is rotatably mounted on the flange I82 formed integrally with the rear cutter head section I58, the tension adjusting ring having anoutwardly extending flange 264 which covers and conceals the ends of the bearing openings 236 in the rear casing section I58 and having a flaring rear flange 265, the rear faceof which forms a continuation of the bevel I83 of the flange I82, as best shown in Figs. 17 and19.

Thetension imposedon the cutter and scraper arm cranks 22I and :23!! by the springs 26I and tension adjusting ring '263.is adjusted by a screw 266 which, as best shown in Figs. 19 and 22, is tangentially disposed and is mounted in a lug 261 projecting rearwardly from the web ISI of the rear cutter head section I58 through an elongated recess 268 provided in the flange 264 of the tension adjusting ring at that point. The

end of the-1 adjusting screw bears against a lug 269 .in the channel of the tension adjusting ring 263 and it will be seen that by screwing theadter head section I58 and, as shown in Fig. 18,'en-

gages a pin 21'! provided on the counterweighted portion of one of the scraper cranks 238 and limits its outward movement. Since the cutter and scraper cranks 22] and 236 are all intercon- -:nected bythe rings 256 and 245, 'the'action'of the 'limitscrewp215 .in limiting .the movement of one of thesecranks effects a correspon'dingilimit on all of them. .The adjustment of the .screw 215 adjusts .the .minimum diameter of all of the scrapers and cutters.

A ring 288 is arranged against the rear'face I the ring 286 to gainaccess'to the slots and screws,

the ringbeing provided with a knob 218 Fig.. 22) by means of which the ring can be rotatedto bring three holes 2:16 into register with .the heads of the screws 255 for the purpose. of looseni-ngor tightening them. The wire ring 28!, as :best f shown inFigs, v1'7, 22 and 23, is formed to.pro-' vide .ears282 whichproject through openings 283- i inthe rearwardly projecting annular flange I82 formed integrally with the rear cutter head sec: tion' I58. These ears 282 also extend into grooves 284 (Fig. 22) provided on the inner face'of the tension adjusting ring 263, these grooves 284 -being concentric'with the head so that the tension adjusting ringis free: to. rotate. It will be seen that the provision of the wire ring 28I retains the ring 238 in proper position and the ears 282' of this ring also holdthe tension adjusting ring 283against axial. displacement from the flange I82. 1 i

The juices and scrapings discharged through I the opening I61 of the rotary cutter head arecare, ried rearwardly by the flaring formof this head and discharged over the outwardly flaring surfaces of the flanges W2 and 265 from which they are thrown against theinn'er surface of the discharge hood I28, this discharge hoodbeing c'om-' posed of upper and lower sections 26 and 281 and the bottom of the lower section sloping down wardly to form a. discharge chute288. *The upper section 2860f the'dischar-ge hood is removably I the upper secured to and swings upwardly cutter head holder section I92.

The severed kernels, thrown off in advance 'of" the vertical face I66 of the rotary'cutter head,

are caught by the flaring face I69 of the rim I 68 and thrown against a housing 298 which ,is re-' movably supported on thebrackets 81 and I25 and completely houses the feeding spur wheels hooded inlet opening 29I for the. ears of corn.

to l6, 82,7611, 82a and the guide mechanism carried' by the plate I23,this housing 298 having a The kernels thrown against this housing 298 drop" into a discharge hopper 292 formed integr l v with the .top of the table '85.

The corn cutter can be used for cutting -wh'ole kernel style of corn in which the principal pro'd uct is substantially entire kernels with a byj of a different type of cuttersrand. scrapers and?- product of scrapings, or by a simple substitution spur wheels can be used .for cutting cream style kernels and thecaps removed to permit ofscraping the interior portions out. With the unusually be made, such as the slitting guides illustrated in .corn consisting of the soft interior portions of'the Figs; 10and 11 for preslitting the kernels-in cutting cream style corn from mature ears or the double slice knives illustrated in Figs. 26 and 27 for cutting a type of whole kernel style corn .from

ears having excessively large kernels. g

In the cutting of normal, whole kernel style com, the corn cutter isset. up as "illustratediin Figs, 1-9 and 12-25 'and the ..type :ofqcutteriand large or matured kernels other substitutions can scraper arms illustrated in perspective'in"Figs. 15 and 16 are'empl'oyed. i

The cutters 300 each includes a hub 30I hav ing a hexagonal recess 302 which fits over the I hexagonal 'end'223 of any of the cutter" arm cranks 22I these hexagonal ends projecting for- 1 arm being located near the outer'end of the hub to permit the scraper armst'o lie between them and the face vI66 of the rotary'head.

The outer end 305 of each cutter arm 304 is formed to extend towardthe axis of the cutter head and this end then extends laterally, substantially parallel with the axis of the cutter head to provide a blade 306-the "end edge 30'! of which is obliquely sharpened to insure good cutting. The blade 306 is specially formed toact as a scoop? in quickly throwingoffthe severed kernels which tend to come off in strings. To this end the blade 306 has a comparatively thin advance edge while its trailing side is thickened at the corner betweenthe arm 304' and the blade 306,

as'indicated at 308, Fig. '16, so as to form a 'scooplike'blade which throws off i the 'cut kernels as fast as they are out 01f and slide up on the'blade.

This prevents jamming of the kernels between the blade and arm and insures thesmooth'dischargej of them from the blade. The: blades 306 of the cutters extend forwardly or in opposition to they advancing ears and 'extend'well ahead'of the plane of'the face I66 of the cutter headas illustratedinFigJI'IW I p The scrapers 3I0 each includes a hub 3! l.

formed similarly to the hubs 30I of the cutters with a'hexagonal recess fitting overthe'hexagonal endof the scraper cranks 230 and carrying a captive screw 3I3 by means of which the hubs are secured to the projecting hexagonal'ends of the cranks 230. The arm 3 of each scraper is flat and extends radially outward from that end of the hub adjacent the flat'fac'e I66'of the rotary cutter head so that the'scraper arms 3 lie be hind the cutter arms 304 as illustrated in Fig. 13. The outer end 3I5 of each scraper arm 3I4 is benttoward the 'axiso-f the rotary. head and is then bent rearwardly'in the direction of movement of the ears to form ascraping head 316, the

' N effective part'of which is arranged in rear of the planeof the face I66 of the scraper head, as best illustrated'in Fig. 171;"

direction opposite to the advancing ears and deposited "in the'h'opper 292 as wholekernel corn.

The scrapings and juicesf'scra'ped out by the scrapers 3 it are likewise thrown radially outward but in're'ar of" the plane of the face IBS of. the, rotarylhead and are hence caught by'the conical face"! 14 of the headand directed in the-opposite directiongfrom the whole kernel corn and depositedin the chute 288' as a by-product. The

construction of the rotaryhead and the form and arrangement of the'cutters and scrapers 300, 3I 0'therefore permits of substantially complete the scraper 3 I 0.

separation of'the kernels severed andthe meat andJjuicesscraped from the ears of corn thereby providing .auwhole kernel corn of higher quality "as compared with a mixture of the kernels, scrapings and juices.

With some com the kernelsare so large that Whole kernel corn cut asabove described, would result in kernels too large to be in the most salable form. It therefore becomes desirable to out the kernels. from the ear in two slices bythe cutters and scrapers shown in Figs. 26. and.27.-

When so cutting the kernels off in two slices, the f cutters 300 are substituted by the cutters 320 which are of the same general form and mounted in the same manner except that the blade 32 l at the end of the arm 322 is stepped so as to provide a rounding shoulder 323 spaced from the arm 322 which throws off the kernels severed by the cutting edge 324. In cutting the kernels off in two slices the scrapers 3I0 are each substituted by alcombined cutter and scraper 325 having a fiat arm 326 working in rear of the correspond- -ilar to the blade 306 of the cutter 300 and a scraping head 328 similar to the scraping head 3I6 of I The effective edge of the scraper 328' is located inwardly of the edge of theblade 321 and the. edge 324is adjusted to be located still further away 'from the axis of the rotary head. It will therefore be seen that the blades 32I cut an initial slice from each kernel and the blades cut a second slice from each kernel both of which are thrown outwardly in advance of the face I66 of thecutterhead so as to becollecte'd free from scrapings. The scraper 328 then scrapes out the remaining meat and juices from the kernels, these being thrownout in rear of theface I66 of the rotary head and hence collected separately from the chute 288.

In cuttingcream style corn, if'the kernels are quite matured it may be desirable to slit the kernels to facilitate the .decapping and scrapingoperation. vTo do this the guide arms I32 carried by the removable plate I23 are removed and slitting guide arms 332, illustrated in Figs. 10-11, substituted therefor.

guide head I34 on each of the arms I32 but the trailing part 335 of the guide nose 334is provided'with a plurality of slots 336 each receiving a small slitting blade 33?. These blades are held in position by'a small cross bar 333 and screws 339 extending through this cross bar and into thearm 336. It will be; seen that the passing ears are both brought into proper alignment by Each of these guide armsl 332] has a tapered guide nose 334 similar to the ing cutter arm 322 and having its outer end I formed to provide both a cutting blade 321 sinitheyheads of the guidearms' 336 and are also slitted by the small blades 331.

In cutting cream style com, the tearing oi the kernels by the feeding, spur wheels is immaterial; since the product consists essentially of the soft interior portions of the kernels. Since the action of the cutter head is principally a scraping action in contradistinction to being principally a cutting action in cutting whole kernel corn, the ear must be held more securely in cuttingcream'style corn as compared with whole kernel corn. Therefore in cutting cream style corn it is. desirable to remove the feeding spur wheels 16/82. 16a and 82a, which have a single row of spurs, and substitute the type of spur wheels used atall times as the discharge spur wheels 56b, 82b and which have two rows of spurs In cutting cream style corn all of the cutters and scrapers 399, 3I9 are removed and replaced with the cutters and scrapers illustrated in perspective in Fig. 29. Each cream style cutter 385 has a hub-385 identical with the hubs 39I of the cutters 399 and an integral fiat arm 387 projecting outwardly therefrom. The blade 388 projects forwardly a relatively short distance from the arm 38? and is provided with a relatively long cutting edge 399. The scrapers for cutting cream style corn are of two lengths in order to properly operate and clear one another, three of each type being mounted on the hubs of the scraper cranks 239. One type of scraper arm, designated at 399, has a hub 39I identical with the hubs 3I I of the scrapers 3I9 and an integral, flat and relatively long arm 392 projecting outwardly therefrom a sufficient distance so that the scraper head 393 is located adjacent the tip of the blade 389 of the preceding scraper 335. The scraper head 393, in-

stead of extending rearwardly from the arm 392 extends forwardly therefrom so that its effective edge is in advance of the flat face I69 of. the rotary head. The other scrapers 395 each has a hub 399 identical with the hubs 39I of the scrapers 395 and an integral,- fiat relatively short arm 39'! projecting outwardly therefrom. At the-end of each of these arms a scraper head 398 is provided, the arm 391 being of such length that this head 398 is located immediately in. advance of the-following cutting blade 398. The scraping head 398 extends forwardly, or toward the inlet end of the machine, from the arm 39l in the same manner as the scraping head 393 to remove the soft portion from the kernels in advance of the flat face I of the rotary head. The effective blunt edge of the scrapers 399 and 395 all travel in the same circle.

In setting up the rotary head for cutting cream style corn, three cutters 385 are secured to the hubs of alternate cutter arm cranks 22I, the others being left blank as shown. One of the scrap ers 395 is then mounted on the hub of each scraper crank 239 immediately in advance of each cutter 395. One of the scrapers 399 is then mounted on the hub of each scraper crank 239 Theimmediately following each cutter 385. screws 254 are then loosened and the rings'245 and 259 adjusted so that when the heads of the scrapers 399 are in engagement with thecobthe blades 399 of the cutters will sever the caps only from the kernels. If the cutter has previously been used for cutting whole kernel, style corn, the tension on the scrapers is, of course, increased. The corn cutter is then ready for producing cream style corn, the cutters 385 first decapping the kernels and the scrapers 399 and 395 scraping-down to the cob and acting as a gage for the depth of cut of the cutter'385. The caps cut off by the cutters 395 and the soft interior portions scraped-out by the scrapers 399 and 395 are thrownout ahead of the face I 99 of the rotary head and hence are discharged by Fig. 29 had their heads disposed too abruptly to operate on the soft blanched ears, their abrupt heads engaging'the cob tips so firmly as to break them'oifJTo provide a type of-scraper which Q would act more gently andstill press outthe soft interior portions of the kernals remaining-after passing the cuttersand thereby gagethese cutj ters from the cob, the scrapers'shown in Fig. .32 I

were designed. These scrapers, indicated gen-f erally at 499,,each has a hub v49I identical-with the hubs 3 of the scrapers 3I9 and an integral, flat arm 1 492' projecting outwardly therefrom.

The scrapers shown are designed to produce whole kernel corn and henc'e'its head 493 prov-.1

jects in the direction of travel of the ears -or opposite to the blades of the ,cutters so that ,its effective portion is located in'rear of the plane of the flat face I66. This head is of sinuous form so as. to provide arelativel-y flat portion 494 having, a broad bearingon the flat kernels and terminating ina rounding end 495 -which' has a very gentle scrapingcr pressing action on the cut kernels.

ears the cobs of whichare soft and fragile.

I Operation and adjustment -Assuming-that corn isto be cut as whole kernel style corn the operator throws the lever 55 It will be seen that this type of 1 scraper isvery gentle in its action and hence adapted for use in connection with blanched (Fig.5) which, through the rock shaft 54, link',52

and arm 5I, closes the clutch 59, thereby establishing a' driving connection between the flywheel 49 and the main drive shaft 45 (Fig. 3) The ro-' tation ofthe main drive shaft 45 through the a transmission containedin the case-I59 (Fig. 1) drives the pulley I BI; and V -belt I52.

This V-belt' engages with the drive rim I53. (Fig. 6) of the drive head and consequently rotates the entire drive head with the knives 399 and scrapers 3| 9 mounted thereon, the drive rim I53 being rotatabl-y supported by the. three pairs of bearings'299 (Fig. 13) in the twopart holder I99,I'92.

The' rotation of the drive shaft 45 (Fig.3),

through theworm 69, worm wheel BI and gears 92-99, drives the shaft 61. which, through the universal 98 (Fig. 2), drives the shaft 69 carrying the pair of sprockets 4| (Fig.6) which drive the feed chains 49.

At the same time the rotation of the gear 93 drives the pair of gears l9, I2 (Fig.

3 which, through the universals-14 and 89 (Fig. I 7) "and upper and lower'asha'fts- I5 andr 8l, drivethe first pair of feeding spur wheels 1,5 and 82 The second pair of feeding spur wheels are also 55 I Through the pins 1III, II2 the gear I99 drives the shaft I I9 which, through the universal 14a (Fig. 1), drives the upper spur driven. through the gear I94 (Fig. '3) driving the gears I95, I99.

wheel shaft 'I5aand the spur wheel 16a. (Fig. 6)..

Similarly, the lower gear I 95' (Fig. 3), through the pins I91, I99, drives the shaftIIIlfi, this shaft,

through .a universal similar to the'universal 99, v I

driving the spur wheel shaft 'BIaand spur wheel 92a (Fig. 6). The discharge spur wheels are driven through the gears II5,:-I I6 and H8 (Fig. 3) which, through the shafts 'I I1, I I9 and universals, drive the upper and lower spur wheel shafts 15b", MI) and the discharge spur wheels 16b and 82?) mounted thereon.. The upper spur wheels 76, 16a, 19b are driven in the opposite direction to the lower spur wheels 8I, 8Ia,. 8Iband in the. direction. to feed the ears of corn from the chain. 49 to the discharge end of the machine.

The operatorplaces the husked ear of corn lengthwise in the trough 31 along which it is propelled endwise by the fed chains and is presented tip first, through the inlet opening 29 I, to the pair of spur wheels'lfi, 82. The spurs of these spur wheels: positively engage the opposite sides of the ear of corn and pro pel it against the tapering heads. I34 of they guide fingers I32 (Fig. 6). The ears of corn are always largerthan the minimum spacing of the'feeding spur wheels I6, 82 and as the ear of corn is engaged with these spur wheels they open .up, this opening being permitted by the universals I4 and 88 (Fig. 7) and the sliding mounting for the free ends of the spur wheel shafts I'and 8|. This sliding mounting includes the skeleton sleeves 85 guided" in the guideways 96 and these sleevesare connected by the toggle links 94 to the spring loaded sleeve'92 mounted on the rod 88 so that the spur wheels I6, 82 are always moved an equal distance apart from a common center as they are opened up. The rotation of the cam block I8I wheel shafts I5 and BI project and move.

(Figi '8) provides two adjustments for the minimum, spacing of the spur wheels I6 and 82 and the, slides 89 prevent silk'or juices from escaping through the slots 86, through which thepspur Since the'spur wheels 16, 82 are always moved an equal distance'from a common center eachear of. corn is caused to be positioned with its axis in the same horizontal plane. regardless of its diameter and in such position is fed, between the heads I34 of the fingers I32 mounted on the removable plate I23 (Figs. 6 and 9). These fingers I 32 are all tied to the rotating ring I 28 which is yieldingly held in one extremeposition by the adjustable spring- 135. In this extreme position the-tapered heads134 of the guide fingers I32 are at their minimum spacing and as the tip of the ear of corn is forced into the opening formed'between these heads I34, these heads open up uniformly in the manner of a camera shutter. Hence, eachear of corn is brought to a position in which its axis coincides with the common center of-the several heads I34 this common center being ooaxialwith the axis of the rotary head 85, as illustrated in As the tip of the ear passes through the head I3 of the guide fingers I32, it isbrought into engagement with the second pair of feedingspur wheels 18a, 82a which are guided in [their expending and contracting movement in the same manner as the feeding spur wheels 56 and 82 so that the feeding spur wheels 18a, 82a, in all positions, are disposed an equal distance from the axis of the ear of corn passing therethrough.

These feedingspur wheels 16a, 82d present the ear of corn to the cutters 388 and scrapers 3-I8 *of'the rotary cutter head 85. The axis of .the

car of corn so presented to the rotary head 85 is coincident with the axis of the head and consequently the blades 386 of the several cutters 388 are located anequal distance from the axis I cut away being thrown outwardly by centrifugal force against the tapered or outwardly flared surface I69 of the front section I68 of the rotary head 85.

Beforefthe forwardlyprojecting blades 3810f the cutters 388 are able to cut into the cob oftthe ear the tip of the ear engages the heads 3I5 of the'scrapers 3H! (Fig.- 17) and the tapering form 'of' the tip of the earcauses .these scraper heads to move outwardly. This outward movement 01' the arms 3M of the'scrapers rotates thecranks 238px; which the several scrapers are mounted and, through thepin 232 and block 244 on each 24!? journalling the crank pins 222 of the cranks 122i which carry and rotate withthe arms 384 of the cutters 388. It will. therefore be seen that the opening up of the scrapers 3I8 effects,

through the rings-245 and 258, a corresponding opening up of the blades 386 of the cutters 388 andthat therefore thescrapers act as a gage for gaging the depth of cut fromthe cob itself and insure that the kernels are cutoff close to the cob and the maximum yield of whole kernel corn obtained.- Since the effective edges BIG of the scrapers 8!!) scrape out the remaining soft portions of the kernelsand down to the cob itself,

it will be seen that the cutters can be very accurately set to out off the kernels substantially at the cob line and. that as the cob increases or decreases in diameter from its tip to its shoulder the cutters are caused to open up and contract accordingly. Thecutters and scrapers are yieldingly held in their innermost position (determined by the adjusting screw. 218. Fig. 18) by the severalsprings ZGI (Fig. 22) which yieldingly hold the cranks 238 in theposition in which the cutter and scraper arms are in theirminimum adjusted position. The tension of these springs 26I is adjusted by the screw 268.

The kernels cut off by the blades ace of the cutters 389 are thrown out against the outwardly flaring face I68 of the front section I51 of the cutter head 85 and the juices and scrapings removed by the scrapers 3!!) are thrown outwardly against the rearwardly flaring face I18 of the same cutter headsection I57. The kernels are therefore discharged forwardly from the rotary cutter head 85 and the juices and scrapings rearwardly and itwill therefore be seen that a complete separation takes place, the, whole kernel corn being free from scrapings and excess juices and hence being of high quality. The cut kernels are discharged from the knives within the casing 298 (Fig. 9) from which they pass downwardly to the discharge hopper 292 (Fig.6) The scrapings removed by the scrapers 8I8 are caused to be discharged rearwardly from the head 85 by the rearwardly flaring bore I'M through the head and are discharged against the walls of the two part discharge hood l28, the'lower part of which is formed to provide the discharge chute 288.

The cut and scraped tip of the corn is picked upby the discharge spur wheels 1817 and 82b and discharged through the discharge hood I28 from the machine. As with the feeding spur wheels 18 and82 these discharge spur wheels 1811- and 82b are free to float, but always move an equal distance from the'common center line which is coaxial with the axis of the rotary head 85 and the passing cars. In order to insure that the ears of corn do not interfere with oneanother in their procession through themachine the discharge spur wheels 'lfib-and 82b. are driven at a this difference in speed being occasioned by the use of smaller-gear wheels H8 and H6 (Fi higher rate of speed than the feeding spur wheels,

'8) for driving the discharge spur wheels than th corresponding gears I0, 12, I65 and m9 which drive the feeding spur wheels. Whenthe, cob is engaged by the discharge spur wheels its movement is accelerated and provision is made which iii and Id! leaving the pins I83 and H2. After the ear has passed the feeding spur wheels 160: and 820., the pins H2. and IE8 catch up, respectively, within pins ill and lll'I, and reestablish the driving connection for the spur wheels Ito. and 82a so that the next ear of corn is properly fed to the rotary cutter head 35. This acceleration in the movement of the ear in pass ng through the rotary cutter head prevents the machine from being jammed because of possible overlapping in the ears placed .upon the feed chains 60.

Assuming that the next run of corn is of larger diameter and it is desired to cutoff the kernels a greater distance from the cob the machine would be adjusted as follows before starting operation:

The cam plate IIlI} (Fig. that its major diameter would be interposed between the skeleton sleeves 95, thereby increasing the minimum's'pacing of the feeding spur wheels It and 52. The same adjustment would be made of the feeding spur wheels 16a, 82a and the discharge spur wheels 16b, 82b. This opens up all of the spur wheels and results in reducing the tearing of the kernels of the ears of corn and a smoother passage of the ears of corn through the machine.

Similarly, the minimum spacing of the guide heads its of the guide arms I32 would be increased. Similarly, the tension of the guide arms I32 on the removable plate I23 would be decreased. This would be effected, as shown in Fig. 9, by backing off the screw I31 so as to relieve the tension of the spring I35. By doing this the tapered guide heads I34 can be spread apart more freely and hence are adapted-to the larger dianieter'of the corn being run.

The remaining adjustments are effected in the rotary cutter head 85. To effect these adjustments the spring loaded latch I96 is swung out and the upper half I92 of the rotary cutter head holder is swung up about its hinge I94 (Fig; 13) so as to expose the complete rotary cutter head' This rotary cutter head can then be directly lifted upwardly off of the two lower pairs of supporting bearings 2!!!! and out of the lower half I!!!) of the rotary cutter head holder. The cutter head is then freed from the V-belt I52 and can be taken to any suitable place for. the necessary adjustments.

In the adjustment of the cutting, gaging and scraping mechanism carried by the head, it is unnecessary to take anything apart. In order to adjust the depth of cut the. operator takes hold of the knob 2l'8 on thering 280 and turns this ring until the holes 2% register with the screws 25 3 which adjustably secure the two rings 2 35 and 256 together. These screws are then loosened so as to break the connection between the two rings 2 55 and 256,, the ring 250 being then movable relative to the ring 245 byvirtue of the screws 2% passing through the slots 253 8) would be turned so 251885934 I in the'ring 250. The pointer 25s is ,thenmoved to the desired position on the cutting depth gage 258 (Fig. 14) and the screws Z54 again tightened to reconnect the rings M5 and'25tl in this new relation. Since we have assumed that a cut of less depth is desired'the pointer 25$ would-be moved in the "corresponding direction along the graduations 258. This readjustment of the rings 245 and 250 efiects anadjustment'of the relative positions of the'cutters 309 and the scrapers 3I0, because the ring 245 is connected, through I the cranks Z3I!,'with each of the scrape-rs 310' c while" the ring 250 is ccnnected, "through. the

cranks 22I, witht'each of the cutters 359. By the readjustment above assumedthe' heads 31%: of the severalscrapers are adjust'ed'inwardly relative'to the blades 306 of the several cutters so that when the scrapersengage the cob the cutters are held outwardlya greater distance from the cob and accordingly cut at a greater distance from the cob line than before the adjustment was made. With-the assumed increase in: diameter of the cob, it is also'desirableyto increase 5 the minimum spacing ofboth the scrapers and the cutters; To effect this the operator applies a. screw driver .to the exposed head of the screw I 215 (Fig. 18) and backs this screw up. "Since this screw limits the inward movement ofsone of the scrapers it limits the inward movement of: all of the scrapers andzcutters accordingly and its the ring 263 to move clockwise, as viewed-in Fig.

22; and thereby relieveth'e tension on the sev,- eral springs 26L Sincethe screw 266 is mounted on a lug fast to the rear section I58 of the rotary cutter head andthe's'prings 265 are interposed.

between the adjusting ring 263 and-the'pins 238 on each'of the cranks 230 carrying the scrapers, H

it will be seen that relieving the tension/of the springs 266' relieves the inward pressure which the scrapers 3H! exert upon thecob.

After these adjustments have been effected the 'face ring 280 is turned back by means'of the:-

knob 218 to cover the ends of the screws 254 ing the above adjustment. I

After the adjustments havebeen made the head is, of course, replaced in the'two part holder I90, I92 and the V-belt reapplied, after which thetwo parts of the holder are reconnected by'the spring latch I96. The machine is then I ready for operating on the larger diameter, large kerneled corn upon throwing'the clutch lever 55. '60

Assuming that in the nextrun' of corn the kernels of the ears are so large that upon cut-. ting them off, as'above described, the product the following substiis too large to be salable, tution would be made: I

I The rotary cutter head is removed, as above described, and all of the cutters-and scrapers 300, N0 removed by unscrewing their captive screws 303 and 3I3 and slipping them offfromthe projecting ends of the hubs of the cranks 22I' 7d are then replaced with the cutters 320 'illus- 'f trated in Figs. 26 and 27 which arethe same exand 230, respectively. 'The cutters so removed cept that the blade of'each of the cutter arms 320 is stepped. Each of the scrapers 3). is then replaced with the combined scraper and cutter which were exposedthrough theholes 2T9 durm 

